Nigel Farage Visits Gibraltar to Press UK Officials on Gambling Tax Increase Risks

Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, was welcomed by high ranking officials in Gibraltar to discuss mitigation strategies against a potential gambling tax increase in the UK.

The UK and Gibraltar industries are tightly connected. Some of the biggest operators active in the UK operate out of the British Overseas Territory, including Entain, bet365, evoke, Kindred Group, and LiveScore Group. With Gibraltar’s clear vested interest in UK gambling policy, the territory’s political elite is following developments closely.

Campaign Against Machine Games Duty Increase

Over recent months operators already seeing top lines chipped away from the 2025 tax increases have campaigned against a potential rise in Machine Games Duty. Reports on how far Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey will move from the current 20% remain conflicting. Some fear a double rate of 40% while others expect an increase of only 5%.

Hope of no tax rise persists until the Budget announcement on 28 October. A hike would hit betting shops, Adult Gaming Centres and bingo halls hard. Industry estimates warn of thousands of jobs cut and hundreds of venues closed. The same cost pressures and resulting closures could replicate in Gibraltar. Farage has long served as a prominent gambling ally, repeating that further tax increases will damage the UK economy.

Feetham’s Cross-Party Advocacy for Gibraltar

Nigel Feetham, Trade and Industry Minister of Gibraltar, has tracked the issue through meetings with UK political parties and business representatives. Last week Feetham joined CEOs and political figures for a London breakfast to review the debates. On Farage’s engagement, Feetham added: “With the UK Budget approaching, I have been making the case across the political spectrum to ensure that the potential consequences of further gambling tax increases for Gibraltar are fully understood. I have a responsibility to ensure that Gibraltar’s interests are represented and that our message is heard loud and clear by all political parties.”

As reported by SBC News, the visit forms part of Gibraltar’s sustained effort to shape UK policy that directly affects its licensed operators.

Reporting: SBC News

Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.